Are you looking for a new cannabis infusion method to make tasty edibles that can kick in quickly in just 15-20 minutes? Then look no further than learning how to make your own cannabis oil powder, sometimes called THC powder, easily at home. Made with just two simple ingredients in just 10 minutes, this powder can be added to any dish you please without affecting the taste, smell, or flavor.
Table of Contents
Features
- Dietary Features: Vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, gluten-free (NOT suitable for those with diabetes, on Keto or low-carb diets).
- Water-soluble – this powder kicks in faster than other edibles in just 15-20 minutes.
- Add to virtually any dish you please without affecting the smell or flavor.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Do you like cannabis edibles but find it hard to get past the strong cannabis smell or taste that comes with them?
Or are you looking for an edible that will kick in faster than traditional edibles that may take up to 2 hours to work? Allow me to introduce you to cannabis or THC oil powder!
I’ve been getting many questions about this infusion method from my Well With Cannabis Community members, so I compiled a complete guide to help you make this recipe perfectly.
Read on to learn more about what cannabis oil powder is, the pros and cons of this infusion method, and how you can easily make your own powder at home with THC oil or CBD oil.
What You’ll Need
- Maltodextrin powder: a white powder made from common starchy foods like corn, rice, potato, or wheat. You can purchase non-GMO maltodextrin powder here. Find a more in-depth explanation of what maltodextrin powder is below.
- Sunflower lecithin powder (optional): this is a natural emulsifier that will help keep opposing ingredients bound together, like water and oil. If you’re new to working with lecithin, you can learn more about adding lecithin to edibles here. If needed, you can purchase sunflower lecithin powder here. While this ingredient is optional, it is a must-have if you plan on mixing the powder into drinks.
- A cannabis oil of your choice: Unsure what to pick? Check out my guide to understanding the many different types of cannabis oils here.
Options for different kinds of cannabis oil to use include:
Note: a complete list of ingredients with amounts and printable instructions is located in the recipe card below.
The Step-By-Step Process
- Step 1: Purchase your maltodextrin powder and make or purchase cannabis-infused oil. You can purchase non-GMO maltodextrin powder here.
- Step 2: Add the maltodextrin powder to a medium-sized bowl.
- Step 3: Add your cannabis oil to the bowl.
- Step 4: Whisk the ingredients together well.
- Step 5: Continue to whisk well until the oil starts to blend together with the powder.
- Step 6: If using sunflower lecithin powder, add it now and continue to whisk well until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Step 7: If desired, run the powder mixture through a flour sifter or fine-mesh sieve for more uniform mixing.
- Step 8: Store the prepared powder in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in a cool dark place, until ready to use.
Note: complete step-by-step printable instructions are located in the recipe card below.
Storage Instructions
To ensure your cannabis oil powder made with maltodextrin maintains its quality, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Maltodextrin is hygroscopic, so keep it in an airtight container to prevent moisture absorption, which could lead to clumping.
As for storage times, maltodextrin powder typically has a shelf life of about two years when stored properly.
For cannabis oil, its shelf life can vary but it generally lasts around 1-2 years if kept in a cool, dark place.
Always check the product’s packaging for the best-before date and follow any additional storage instructions provided.
Remember, proper storage can help preserve the potency and flavor. Learn more about how to store edibles here.
If anything seems off with the texture or smell, trust your instincts and consider discarding it.
Learn More About Cannabis Oil Powder
If you’ve turned your nose up at edibles in the past, this cannabis powder might be a good solution for you.
Cannabis oil powder is a flavorless, odorless powder that can be added to any dish without adding a cannabis flavor or smell.
It is also unique because it contains water-soluble cannabinoids. Normally, cannabis is fat-soluble, which is why it’s so often infused into butter or oil.
Our bodies best absorb cannabinoids with fat. But because of this, sometimes it takes traditional edibles a while to kick in.
Water-soluble cannabinoids are absorbed quickly into our bloodstream, making this powder a powerful, fast-acting medicine.
Of course, it takes a little experimentation to get the process of making it just right.
It involves mixing cannabis oil with maltodextrin, which we’ll take a look at below.
You should be able to find cannabis oil at your local dispensary, or you can infuse your own oil at home in just a few hours.
It’s an important component of this powder, so be sure you have high-quality oil on hand before you start.
What is Maltodextrin?
Maltodextrin is a key component in making cannabis oil powder, but what is it? Is it safe to eat?
After all, you want to make edibles, not do a chemistry experiment!
You may have heard of this ingredient before because it’s added to many food products as a thickener or preservative.
Maltodextrin is a white powder that’s made from common starchy foods like corn, rice, potato, or wheat. In most cases, maltodextrin is perfectly safe to eat regularly.
A Word Of Caution Using Maltodextrin
Because maltodextrin is made from starch, it’s high in simple carbohydrates.
If you have diabetes or follow a low carbohydrate diet, it’s important to note that maltodextrin has a very high glycemic index and could spike your blood sugar.
Be wary of this, but also keep in mind that you probably won’t be consuming large amounts of cannabis oil powder at once.
Always ask your doctor if you have concerns, and start with a small dose to see how it affects you.
Notes and Expert Tips
As with all cannabis infusions and extractions, there are pros and cons to each method.
This section should help you decide if this infusion method is right for you and your needs.
Pros & Benefits
- Suitable for many dietary options, including vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
- No cooking is required! Just mix, use, or store.
- Water-soluble, can kick in faster than other edibles in just 15-20 minutes.
- You can mask the cannabis taste and add to any dish you please without affecting the smell or flavor.
- Great for microdosing.
Cons & Drawbacks
- High glycemic index and may spike blood sugars when used in large amounts.
- Not suitable for those with diabetes, on Keto or low-carb diets.
- It requires a large amount of maltodextrin to oil ratio to make the infusion, meaning your final product may not be as potent as you want it to be.
- It does not mix in *perfectly* with drinks, but it is a great option to try out.
How to Make Edibles With This Powder
You can add this powder to virtually any dish you please without affecting its smell or flavor.
You can add a sprinkle of this powder to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks recipes for a quick dose of cannabis any time and anywhere.
From a sprinkle over your morning cannabis-infused quinoa breakfast bowl to a sprinkle in your cannabis-infused deviled eggs, the options are endless.
My other favorite ways to use cannabis oil powder include:
- Adding a scoop to a yummy cannabis smoothie
- Adding a scoop to infuse these no-bake energy bites
- Mixing in some powder with this cannabis taco seasoning
And because this cannabis preparation is carbohydrate-based, you’ll begin to feel its effects within just 15 to 20 minutes.
Cannabis Oil Powder (THC or CBD)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maltodextrin powder
- 2 tablespoons Bliss cannabis oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sunflower lecithin powder optional, see notes
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the maltodextrin powder, followed by the cannabis oil.
- Whisk the mixture together well, up to several minutes, until the maltodextrin powder has absorbed all of the oil.
- If using, add the sunflower lecithin powder and continue to mix well until there are no clumps left.
- If desired, run the powder mixture through a flour sifter or fine-mesh sieve for more uniform mixing.
- Store the prepared powder in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in a cool dark place, until ready to use.
Notes
- As always, I recommend running a *non-infused* test batch first with virgin oil to see if this method works for you and your desired infusion preferences.Â
- To make a THC oil powder, start with THC-infused oil. To make a CBD oil powder, start with CBD-infused oil.
- If you are using solid coconut oil as your infusion oil, be sure to melt it into a liquid first before using it. But, do not use the microwave to melt as this could destroy your cannabinoids! Instead, use a double boiler or another low heat method as needed.
- The lecithin powder is optional, but IÂ recommend adding it if you plan to add this cannabis oil powder to drinks.
- Note: this mixture still does not mix in *perfectly* with cold drinks, but is a great option to try out and see if you like it,
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
No, maltodextrin is virtually tasteless. You can also ensure it is taste-free by selecting an ‘unflavored’ option when purchasing your product.
Once you have prepared your oil powder, it is best to store it in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in a cool dark place.
Yes, you can use soy lecithin in place of sunflower, but ensure both forms are powdered or granulated. Do not use liquid lecithin here in this recipe.
Many people are looking for a water-soluble option for their infused drinks. While this maltodextrin powder mixes in well with drinks (better than other infusions I’ve tried), it is still not 100% perfect. You may notice a tiny bit of oil still collecting at the top. It is up to you and your personal preferences if this is OK.
To make a THC oil powder, you will need to start with THC-infused oil. To make a CBD oil powder, you will need to start with CBD-infused oil. You can learn more about working with CBD flowers here.
You can definitely use oils that you purchased from a store or a dispensary in this recipe, as long as they are oil-based.
Couple of questions about this recipe using concentrates (live diamonds/decarbed).
I can just mix the concentrate with warmed MCT oil & this would be the equivalent cannabis oil called for in the recipe?
And… Is the proportion of oil to powder a critical component of the recipe – does it have to 2T to 1/2 cup or could it be less, provided the required amount of concentrate needed for desired dosing is fully mixed/dissolved in the oil?
Thanks for all you info & time
Just trying to understand how this item can have effects that kick in in 15-20 minutes as opposed to the longer period of time needed for other edible items
Hi David. Thank you for your questions and your kind words! You’re right on track – you can certainly mix the decarbed live diamonds concentrate with warmed MCT oil. This should create a cannabis oil equivalent that works well with this recipe.
The proportion of oil to powder is important for achieving the right consistency and texture. However, there is some room for flexibility. If you need to use less oil, ensure that it is fully mixed and dissolved. The key here is to maintain the balance of wet and dry ingredients in the recipe. Take it slow, observe the results, and adjust as needed.
I hope this helps! Let us know how everything turns out. Happy infusing!
Hi David. This is an excellent question! Traditional edibles contain fat-soluble cannabinoids, which need to be digested and metabolized by the body before they start to work. This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, sometimes even longer depending on various factors like metabolism rate, stomach contents, and individual tolerance.
On the other hand, cannabis oil powder contains water-soluble cannabinoids. Water-soluble cannabinoids are absorbed more quickly and efficiently by the body because they mix well with our body’s water composition. This allows them to enter the bloodstream rapidly, leading to effects that kick in within just 15 to 20 minutes.
Think of it like mixing oil and vinegar versus sugar anild water. Oil (fat-soluble cannabinoids) wl separate and float on top of vinegar (our body), taking a long time to mix in. But sugar (water-soluble cannabinoids) dissolves quickly and easily in water.
I hope this clears up any confusion! Stay curious and continue exploring the fascinating world of cannabis. 🌿
Hey jus a question could I substitute the oil for a tincture 🤔
Hello Vicky, I haven’t yet tried this myself, but I would think the alcohol would evaporate off as normal and work just fine. I might just run a test batch of just plain, non-infused alcohol mixed with the maltodextrin powder to ensure it evaporates normally. I hope this helps! Let us know how it turns out for you.
So I tried this recipe. I was very pleased with the results.
I used 2 gms of live diamonds in 25 ml of MCT oil which is a little less than the 2TBS in the recipe (1/2 c Maltodextrin & 1/2 t lecithin powder. I heated the oil to about 130° on a cup warmer & mixed in the concentrate.
I then used “00” size capsules to portion by volume. 00 caps are supposed to hold 1ml of volume. Based on the volume of the recipe it should net at least 120 – 1ml caps ( 1/2c=8 TBS=24 tsp & 1TBS= 15ml & 1 tsp= 5ml) – in the end I ended up with 131, but that was d/t my novice filling technique as some were not as full as they could have been.
So the end calculation I came up with 2gm concentrate netted me approximately 1600mg after decarbing, on paper my math gave me ~13mg in 120 caps or ~11mg in the actual 131 caps in made (
Needless to say I am very pleased the results & will be making more caps or using is by the teaspoon
This could be a game changer
Thank you
Hi David. Cannabis powder AND capsules are both a game changer for sure! They make for an easy way to fit your cannabis dose into your supplement routine! Thank you for sharing your experience with us and please feel free to share in our private Well With Cannabis Community!
Hello, Emily. Are there storage suggestions as well as expiration details for this lovely cannabis oil powder?
I’m delighted you’re reaching out for more information! To ensure your cannabis oil powder made with maltodextrin maintains its quality, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Maltodextrin is hygroscopic, so keep it in an airtight container to prevent moisture absorption which could lead to clumping. Remember, proper storage can help preserve the potency and flavor. As for expiration. Maltodextrin powder typically has a shelf life of about two years when stored properly. As for cannabis oil, its shelf life can vary but it generally lasts around 1-2 years if kept in a cool, dark place. Always check the product’s packaging for the best-before date and follow any additional storage instructions provided. If anything seems off with the texture or smell, trust your instincts and consider discarding it. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions 😊